France: Mariupol may become ‘trigger’ for new sanctions against Russia

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius called the Ukrainian city of Mariupol a "trigger" in strengthening the EU sanctions against Russia.

According to Fabius, if the Russians respect the Minsk agreements, the EU sanctions may be weakened, Joinfo.ua reports with reference to Financial Times.

"If there were violations, then sanctions must be rolled over or even amplified. The attack on the port in the Sea of Azov Mariupol as such will be the trigger," the minister said.

The publication notes that French President Francois Hollande is more dovish when dealing with the Ukrainian crisis, rejecting Washington's idea to arm Ukrainian soldiers. At the same time, he supports the concept of extending sanctions against Russia in order to fit the year-end implementation deadline for the Minsk ceasefire deal.